Wrist and forearm exercise device

ABSTRACT

A wrist and forearm exercise device includes first and second handle sections each having an elongated generally tubular shape. A central pin can be disposed between the handle sections to limit all movement other than independent radial movement of each handle section. A plurality of resistance members extend between the handle sections and are attached to posts that extend perpendicular to the major axis of the device. A pair of knobs are provided along the distal ends of the handles. The knobs function to permit exercise of the hands and forearms through ulnar and radial deviation of the wrists, whereas the handle sections permit exercise of the hands and forearms through flexion and extension movements of the wrists.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and moreparticularly to a handheld wrist and forearm exercise device.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

There are many areas of athletics and physical therapy in which it isdesirable to rehabilitate or increase the strength in a specific area ofthe body. It should be appreciated that in the prior art, wristdevelopment and lower forearm development is an area that has beenneglected by most health equipment manufacturers when in fact, the wristand forearm are vital not only in the performance of daily functions butparticularly in sports such as tennis, bowling, and golf where wristmovement provides a substantial increase in power and control.

Accordingly, the need exists for a portable resistance exercise devicethat can specifically target the muscle groups of the wrist andforearms, in order to build strength and/or rehabilitate the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wrist and forearm exercisedevice. One embodiment of the present invention can include first andsecond handle sections each having an elongated generally tubular shape.A central pin can be disposed between the handle sections to limit allmovement other than independent radial movement of each handle section.A plurality of resistance members can extend between the handlesections. Each resistance member can be attached to a post that extendsperpendicular to the major axis of the device.

In one embodiment, a pair of knobs are provided along the distal ends ofthe handles. The knobs function to permit exercise of the hands andforearms through ulnar and radial deviation of the wrists, whereas thehandle sections permit exercise of the hands and forearms throughflexion and extension movements of the wrists.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not toidentify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should beappreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the wrist and forearm exercise device, that isuseful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wrist and forearm exercise device,in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the wrist and forearm exercise device inoperation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is another side view of the wrist and forearm exercise device inoperation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is another side view of the wrist and forearm exercise device, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thedescription in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailedembodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, itis to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplaryof the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandabledescription of the invention.

As described herein, the term “rotatably secured” and derivativesthereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two identifiedobjects are joined together in a manner that allows one or both of theobjects to rotate about or in relation to the other object.

As described herein, the term “removably secured” and derivativesthereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or moreobjects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow thesame objects to be repeatedly joined and separated. This can beaccomplished through the use of any number of commercially availableconnectors such as opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e.Velcro®), magnets, and/or compression fittings such as locking pins,clamps, nut/bolts, tethers (e.g., zip ties), snaps and buttons, forexample.

Moreover, the term “permanently secured” shall be used to describe asituation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a manner soas to prevent the same objects from being separated. Several nonlimitingexamples include various adhesives such as glue or resin, hardware suchas nuts and bolts, and welds, for example.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one embodiment of a wrist and forearm exercisedevice 10 that is useful for understanding the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numeralsare used for like elements of the invention or elements of likefunction. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals areshown in the individual figures which are necessary for the descriptionof the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms“upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,”and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIG. 1.

As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device, 10, can include twoelongated generally tubular-shaped handle sections 11 and 12, eachhaving a proximal end 11 a and 12 a, and a distal end 11 b and 12 b,respectively. In one embodiment, a pair of generallycircular/hemispherical-shaped knobs; 13, can be positioned along thedistal ends of the handles. As will be described below, the knobs can bepermanently or removably secured to the handle sections.

As described herein, both the knobs and handle sections may beconstructed from any number of different materials suitable forwithstanding high torsional forces caused by the below describedresistance members during operation of the device. Several nonlimitingexamples include but are not limited to various metals or metal alloys(e.g., aluminum, steel, titanium, or alloys thereof), plastic/polymers(e.g., high-density polyethylene (HDPE), rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC),or polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), and/or various composite materials(e.g., carbon fibers in a polymer matrix, etc.).

In the preferred embodiment, the handle sections and/or knobs caninclude a high grip coating, 14, such as synthetic rubber, for example,which can be located along the entirety or a portion of the exteriorsurfaces. The high grip coating can function to aid users in maintainingfirm contact with the device during operation. Of course, any number ofother materials capable of performing the above described features arealso contemplated.

A central pin, 15, can extend between the proximal ends of the handlesections 11 a and 12 a. In the preferred embodiment, the central pin caninclude protrusions 15 a along each end that are located within theinterior of the handle sections. The protrusions 15 a can be positionedwithin a hollow portion of the handle sections to prevent independentlateral and/or angular (e.g., up, down, left right, forward, backward,etc.) movement of the handle sections while allowing each handle sectionto independently rotate relative to the central pin.

As shown best in FIG. 2, each of the handle sections can include aplurality of posts 21 which extend outward in a perpendicular mannerfrom the major axis of the device. In the preferred embodiment, eachhandle will include four posts, 21, that are arranged equidistantlyalong the outer diameter of the respective handle surface. Each post oneach handle section being positioned so as to be parallel to arespective post on the other handle section and including an aperture 22for engaging a resistance member 25.

As described herein, each resistance member, 25, can include any numberof different objects capable of expanding and contracting when receivinga pulling force. In the preferred embodiment, each of the resistancemembers, 25, can include, comprise or consist of helical extensionsprings having integrated hooks along each end which are capable ofbeing removably secured within the apertures 22. Of course, any numberof other devices such as elastomeric tethers, for example, that canimpart a resistance force in the manner described herein are alsocontemplated.

Although described as including four pairs of posts for engaging fourresistance members, this is for ease of illustration, as the device maybe configured to include any number of different posts each capable ofengaging any number of different resistance members (see FIG. 5).Additionally, each device can include a plurality of differentresistance members each having varying levels of resistance. Thesemembers can be used individually or in any combination to allow a userto adjust the total resistance encountered during a workout utilizingthe device.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the wrist and forearm exercisedevice in operation. As shown, a user can grip the handle sections 11and 12, with their hands, 5, in the neutral arm position and can thenimpart alternating flexion and extension movements (see arrows a). Asthe handle sections incur the alternating torsional movements, theresistance members of each post expand and contract, thus providingtorsional resistance to the muscles in the wrist and forearm along withbeneficial effects to other upper body muscles such as the shoulders andchest.

As shown in FIG. 4, a user can also utilize the exercise device, 10, byfirst griping the knobs, 13, with their hands, 5, and can then performalternating ulnar and radial deviation of the wrists (see arrows b). Asthe knobs incur the alternating torsional movements, the resistancemembers of each post expand and contract, thus providing torsionalresistance to the muscles in the wrist and forearm along with beneficialeffects to other upper body muscles such as the shoulders and chest.

In either instance, the gap, G, located between the handle sections 11and 12, provides room for the resistance members to move diagonally.Such a feature ensures the resistance members will not become ensnaredby or rub against the handle sections during use.

As shown in FIG. 5, the knobs, 13, can be removably secured onto thedistal ends of the handle sections via connectors, 51. Such a featurecan allow the device to accommodate any number of secondary deviceswhich can be designed to accommodate specific needs. For example, thedevice can include any number of handgrips, 52, having straps, 53, orother such components that can receive a user's hand and allow the userto perform ulnar and radial exercises without having to physically gripthe knob. Such a feature is particularly advantageous for thoserehabilitating hand injuries and/or suffering from arthritis, forexample. Of course, other handgrips having any number of differentshapes and sizes are also contemplated for securement to the handlesections.

Accordingly, the above described device is designed to allow a user toperform at least two distinct exercises without having to reconfigurethe device. The knobs permit exercise of the hands and forearms throughulnar and radial deviation of the wrists, whereas the handle sectionspermit exercise of the hands and forearms through flexion and extensionmovements of the wrists. Moreover, by providing a plurality ofresistance members which can be removably secured to the device, theuser can customize the amount of resistance to suit their specific levelof fitness or rehabilitation.

As described herein, one or more elements of the wrist and forearmexercise device, 10, can be secured together utilizing any number ofknown attachments means such as screws, glue, compression fittings, andwelds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have beendescribed as including separate individual elements, the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skillin the art will recognize that one or more individually identifiedelements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements,either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, ormolding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled ormachined with the aforementioned components forming identifiablesections thereof.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the presentinvention, the same should be apparent from the above description.Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage andoperation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the terms “consisting”shall be used to describe only those components identified. In eachinstance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherentlyconsist of each of those identified elements as well.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. An exercise device, comprising: a first handle section having aproximal end and a distal end; a second handle section having a proximalend and a distal end; a pin that is interposed between the proximal endof the first handle section and the proximal end of the second handle; aplurality of posts that are positioned along the first handle sectionand the second handle section; and at least one resistance member thatis in communication with one of the plurality of posts on the firsthandle section and one of the plurality of posts on the second handlesection.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first handle section andthe second handle section are configured to independently rotate along amajor axis of the device.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at leastone resistance member is removably secured to the one post on the firsthandle section and the one post on the second handle.
 4. The device ofclaim 3, wherein the at least one resistance member comprises: a helicalextension spring.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the firstand second handle sections include an elongated tubular-shaped memberthat are configured to receive a users hands to perform a flexion andextension exercise.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein each of the firstand second handle sections include an identical shape and constructionmaterial.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a first knobthat is disposed along the distal end of the first handle section; and asecond knob that is positioned along the distal end of the second handlesection, said first and second knobs being configured to receive auser's hands to perform an ulnar and radial deviation exercise.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second handle sectionsinclude an identical shape and construction material.